Veľká Fatra

Watch out for wet snow in major avalanche paths.

Watch out for wet snow in major avalanche paths.

A breaking warm front will influence the weather during Friday. This will bring a clear night and a gradual increase in clouds during the day. In the Fatras and the eastern part of the Low Tatras, the first avalanche danger level - small - persists. in the morning the snow cover will still be solidified from the clear cold night, but the gradual warming will make wet snow the main avalanche problem from midday onwards, especially in the SE, SW and W orientations. Wet snow avalanches or foundation avalanches of wet snow may occur, especially on slopes with visible gullies. Very steep couloirs with higher snow cover or significant avalanche paths will be dangerous.

The warm February weather has meant that snow cover is absent at lower elevations. In the Fatras and the eastern part of the Low Tatras, snow cover can be found only in the highest places or in shaded N-oriented troughs. Wednesday's cooling caused that the old soaked firn snow cover has hardened, a thick layer of frozen firn has formed on the surface. Gradual warming during the day will cause the snow cover, especially on the south-facing slopes, to become progressively heavier during the day. The weather of recent weeks has caused gusts to form in several places, which have triggered foundation avalanches in many places. This situation may occur in the next few days.

Compiled by: Martin Buliak